The Potential Impact of Alien: Romulus on the Franchise

The Legacy of the Alien Franchise

The Alien franchise, known for its iconic sci-fi horror elements, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. The first film, Alien, captivated audiences with its intense atmosphere, compelling characters, and the introduction of the formidable Xenomorph.

Ripley is attacked by a xenomorph in Alien 3

The subsequent sequel, Aliens, elevated the franchise to new heights, setting a standard for action-packed, high-tension storytelling. However, the franchise faced challenges with the release of Alien 3 and its successor, Alien: Resurrection, which were met with mixed reviews and criticism for their pacing and tonal inconsistencies.

Hicks showing Ripley how to hold a gun in Aliens

Despite these setbacks, the franchise regained momentum with the release of Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, injecting renewed excitement into the Alien fandom and paving the way for future installments.

The Potential Retcon in Alien: Romulus

The upcoming movie, Alien: Romulus, holds the potential to redefine the trajectory of the entire Alien franchise. Positioned between the original Alien and the acclaimed Aliens, Alien: Romulus has the opportunity to explore uncharted territory and reshape the canon of the franchise.

With a 57-year gap between Alien and Aliens, Alien: Romulus has ample room to navigate the narrative, raising the possibility of retconning the franchise and disregarding the less favorably-received Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection. This creative decision could offer a fresh start for the franchise, catering to the desires of fans and opening up new creative avenues for future films.

The Potential Impact on Ripley's Character

One of the most significant implications of Alien: Romulus lies in its potential impact on the iconic character, Ripley. The removal of Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection from the franchise's canon could pave the way for a compelling reimagining of Ripley's story and her future in the franchise.

In particular, the return of Sigourney Weaver's Ripley to the franchise becomes a tantalizing possibility. By disregarding the events of Alien 3, the narrative opens the door for the original Ripley to reemerge in future installments, unencumbered by the constraints of cloning and character alterations.

The narrative potential extends to the exploration of Ripley's character in a new light, allowing for a seamless continuation of her story while honoring the legacy of the franchise.